Press release 17 July 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Swedish election observers to Rwanda

The Government decided today to provide three election observers ahead of the parliamentary election in Rwanda on 15 September 2008. The election observers will be part of the joint EU election observation mission.

"The Rwandan parliamentary election is important for promoting democratic development in the country. Conducting the election in a free and fair manner is also of great significance to the stability of the entire Great Lakes region," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

By contributing election observers, Sweden will help create the conditions to ensure that the election is conducted in accordance with international standards.

Sida (Swedish International Development cooperation Agency) is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers.